By: Roy Jenkins
Giesmar, Louisiana – June 10, 2006
The full moon should have been the hint that this was going to be an unusual race. Though the turnout was low, the TPR (talent per rider) quotient was very high. Mollymotosports and Motco Enterprises held their third "Top Dog Shootout" featuring the old school concept of fewer classes, three long motos and a final race to determine the Top Dog – winning regional bragging rights and a six foot trophy. Former Top Dogs have included Louisiana’s Lance Vincent and Jeremy Domingue in the mini class. Johnny Moore from Mississippi has claimed the title in the big bikes both times, but tonight those guys weren’t present leaving the door wide open for new blood.
The best racing wasn’t even the Shootout, but the Open Money class riders as La.’s fastest, Chase Romero and shared a track with Ms.’s fastest Nathan Davenport for the first time in a couple years. They are mirror images of each other, both are fiery, fierce competitors who make quick, aggressive decisions and by sheer will power can hold a fast pace all moto. Their negatives are the same. They are not known as serious trainers and get distracted into taking long periods off from racing. But their speed, experience and toughness can almost ensure a win in the money class anytime they show up at a local race.
Zach Lawler took his first of three holeshots on his Pro-flo Kawasaki, while Davenport started in dead last. Davenport picked off two riders per lap as Romero moved into the lead. Within a few minutes Davenport was trying to catch Romero and Lawler was holding off Chris Craft’s advances for third. The "Fire Dog" chipped away at Romero’s lead until he was within striking distance at about halfway through the twenty minute moto. The "dog" fired his yellow rocket out of the high-banked turn into an alternate line in the whoop section, only to clip a hay bale, get sideways and lose control, going down in a heap. He jumped back up, but lost valuable time straightening his bars and levers. Romero put it in cruise, a straightaway in front of Lawler and Gunderson. But Romero committed his mistake, stalling his big blue thumper, allowing Lawler to take the lead. Davenport made another mistake while trying to pass Craft on the back straight and went down again. This time he was slow to get up and cruise over to the finish line to wait for the checkers. Romero was able to catch back up to second while Lawler stayed out of sight – until the end of the race when Romero snuck up behind him to take the first moto.
Davenport and Romero tangled up in the first turn of the second moto as Lawler enjoyed one of his holeshots. Chris Craft chased Lawler around for a lap while Romero recovered his rhythm. Soon he was doing "bubba scrubs" and other trickery to close up to the leaders, while Davenport was back up and trying to catch up. Craft stalled his bike in a rut and lost time trying to re-start. When Lawler stalled his thumper, Romero sailed by and sailed away, while quietly Davenport was moving through the field, and after 15 minutes was only a straight behind Romero. He kept fighting until he cut the lead to four seconds, but started showing signs of weariness, as did Romero, but Romero had enough lead to hang on to win again. Craft captured third to the applause of senior riders near the tower.
Romero was quick to take the holeshot from Lawler as Craft moved his CRF450 in behind him. Davenport passed into second the next lap, but was the first to make a mistake. He stalled his Suzuki 450, allowing Craft back into second. Eventually the Firedog inserted himself back into the race and the second spot. This time Romero went down, allowing Davenport to finally run in front. Romero got back up and finished second, followed by Chris Craft.
The first shots were fired among the amateurs in the 125/250 Open class when Michael Haffner took his H&H/D&G/Racing Innovations Honda 450f. Behind him Nick Phillips, Marshall Rodriquez and Mac Edmonston romped and played. Phillips quickly buzzed by through the "4-pak" on his little Bardwell Yamaha YZ125, but Haffner overwhelmed him with horsepower before the lap was done. Edmonston, the elder statesmen of the class pushed his G2G Honda up into contention while Brendan Harp was trying to figure out a way around Rodriguez. Haffner ribbed a big-air tail-whip at the checkered flag in victory, followed by Edmonston, Phillips, Rodriguez and Harp, the last three representing the 125 class.
Haffner led Edmonston, Harp and Curtis Blank in the second moto of the Open class. Haffner held off Edmonston to win, while behind them Harp won the 125 class in front of Rodriguez.
Haffner again led the third moto in front of Harp and Edmonston. Haffner had promised a finish line wheelie but was too occupied with the late charge of Harp to play and scored another victory.
Haffner had a harder time with Bryan Hodnett in the 250 class, the two checking out early on the rest of the class. Hodnett slipped his Yamaha underneath Haffner, force-feeding him roost until Haffner finally let him go to the win.
Daman Arceneaux took his D&G/JM/Bardwell Yamaha to the front of the mini classes every moto and hit the challengers with "shock & awe" until they succumbed. Aaron Sanchez was next fastest on Champion Cycle/D&G Suzuki, but behind him Jarron Plaisance and Forest Smith tussled back and forth on their Yamahas. Both these riders have improved by leaps and bounds the last month and just starting to bloom. Arceneaux finished first with 15 seconds to spare over Sanchez, Plaisance and Smith.
Arceneaux again jumped the 85 class in the second moto, while Sanchez crashed twice, ending his night. Forest Smith was the winner of the chase behind him, edging out Plaisance in third.
The third moto was a virtual repeat with Arceneaux leading, but this time Plaisance kept second from his arch-rival, Smith. Somehow Smith got around Plaisance, as well as Ty Jones to complete the race.
James Waldrop won all three motos of the 65 class in front of Scott McElroy, Cameron Breland and Cannon Shirah.
Mac Edmonston won all his Senior +30 motos, conserving energy for the young guns in the final shootout. Race promoter Charlie Pausina finished second, while Stuart McAvoy had an off night but still won the +40 class. He was one of many riders to clamp down too hard on the brakes and stall a four-stroke, but he was in good company. Every money rider did the same thing during their race.
The 125 class was another breeding ground for a Top Dog candidate, featuring Bryan Hodnett, Chris St. Pierre, Brendan Harp, Carey Smith, Nick Phillips, Marshall Rodriguez and Kevin Mancuso. Hodnett was all over Harp’s KTM the last two laps showing himself here and there. They were side-by-side the last two turns, with Hodnett stealing the victory on the sweeper. Smith led Rodriguez and St. Pierre to the checkers.
Harp led Smith, St. Pierre and Phillips early in moto two. While the first three checked out, Mancuso came up to deal with Phillips. Harp took the victory by a few bike lengths over Smith. St. Pierre took a strong third while Phillips out-dueled Mancuso for fourth.
Carey Smith got his CRf250 out in front of the class in the last moto, but could not hold his lead as Phillips and Harp were able to negotiate passes, then Harp again for the win.
Brandon Hubbard blasted out in the first moto of the Mini Open class, with company from Aaron Sanchez, Jarron Plaisance and Forest Smith. Sanchez kept probing inside lines until he was able to make a stick with two turns left in the race, plucking victory his Champion Cycle team.
Hubbard won the second moto as Plaisance and Smith continue their night-long battle. It was Hubbard, Plaisance and Smith in the third moto and he won with the no-footer.
Shootout:
All the minis gated together for the Top "mini" Dog Shootout. Predictably, Damon Arceneaux took his D&G/JM/Bardwell Yamaha confidently out front and never looked back. Predictably Forest Smith and Jarron Plaisance had their battle behind him. Smith and Plaisance swapped positions each lap until the last when Smith failed to appear and Plaisance finished fourth behind Kevin Chiasson, Ty Jones and Arceneaux who won by a mile.
Since the money riders were not eligible for the Top Dog Shootout, Michael Haffner scored another holeshot and rode his best lines in front of Mac Edmonston, Brendon Harp, Bryan Hodnett and Nick Phillips. Haffner began to gap the field, while Edmonston held off the two youngsters of Hodnett and Harp. The third lap determined the outcome as Hodnett stuck a wheel underneath Edmonston in the rutted first turn, then high-sided, crashing, while Edmonston was knocked off his line, allowing Harp to move in close and passed into second on the last lap. But Haffner had enough gas in his tank to keep his lead to the finish line, winning the 2006 Top Dog Shootout. Harp took second, while Edmonston held on to third, saving from a near crash on the last lap.
Riders: Jaren Plaisance and Forest Smith are starting to emerge as challengers in the 65 class. These two Yamaha riders were laying down nice lap times in practice, then produced game during the race.
Returning to action: Nicholas Burgess raced as a +25 Senior and showed flashes of his brilliance, but faded fast. After being teased about being overweight by Jamie and Tina Dishon (the starters), Nick went out on won the third moto by a huge margin, saving the best for last. Marshall Rodriguez has returned to the racing scene, now riding a KTM. He also showed flashes of his old speed. Skylar Phillips and Hunter Stewart were in attendance, waiting for some arm breaks to heal. Please pray for Wesley Bandemer who crashed off the finish line tabletop and was taken to Our Lady of the Lake hospital with a spinal cord injury. Congratulations to Chris Craft who qualified first last week in Texas to advance to the Loretta’s National Championship.
Results:
50 (0-8yrs): 1. Cameron Breland (Cob); 2. Cannon Shirah (KTM); 3. Daniel Guilbeau (Pol); 4. Ray Mitchell (Cob); 5. Cade Blanchard (KTM).
65 (0-11): 1. James Waldrop (Kaw); 2. Scott McElroy (KTM); 3. Cameron Breland (KTM); 4. Cannon Shirah (KTM); 5. Brandon Schneider (Kaw).
85 (0-15): 1. Damon Arceneaux (Yam); 2. Forrest Smith (Yam); 3. Jarron Plaisance (Yam); 4. Ty Jones (Kaw); 5. Kevin Chiasson (Suz).
MINI OP: 1. Brandon Hubbard (Yam); 2. Jarron Plaisance (Yam); 3. Forrest Smith (Yam); 4. Ty Jones (Kaw); 5. Dakota Jones (Yam).
125 (0-16): 1. Brendan Harp (KTM); 2. Carey Smith (Hon); 3. Nick Phillips (Yam); 4. Kevin Mancuso (Kaw); 5. Julian Broussard (Kaw).
125 (17-up): 1. Chris St. Pierre (Kaw); 2. Curtis Blank (Yam); 3. Jake Hampton (Hon); 4. Scott Marks (Suz); 5. Marshall Rodriguez (KTM).
125 OPEN: 1. Brendan Harp (KTM); 2. Nick Phillips (Yam); 3. Chris St. Pierre (Kaw); 4. Marshall Rodriguez (KTM); 5. Julian Broussard (Kaw).
250 (0-16): 1. Zach Foreman (Hon); 2. Wesley Bandemer (Hon).
250 (17-up): 1. Michael Haffner (Hon); 2. Bryan Hodnett (Yam); 3. Chris Fredrick (Hon).
250 OPEN: 1. Michael Haffner (Hon); 2. Mac Edmonston (Hon).
PIT: 1. Trenton Suire (Yam); 2. Brandon Hubbard (Yam); 3. Christopher Handy (Suz); 4. Joey Romano (Kaw); 5. Blake Steele (Kaw).
SEN+30: 1. Mac Edmonston (Hon); 2. Charlie Pausina (Suz); 3. Charles McNeil (Yam); 4. Rodney King (Hon).
SEN+40: 1. Stuart McAvoy (Hon); 2. Keith Dean (Hon).
OPEN MON: 1. Chase Romero (Yam); 2. Nathan Davenport (Suz); 3. Chris Craft (Hon); 4. Zach Lawler (Kaw); 5. Shawn Gunderson (Yam).
Top Dog Shootout Results
Mini Dog Race:
Damon Arceneaux (Yam); 2. Ty Jones (Kaw); 3. Kevin Chiasson (Suz); 4. Jarron Plaisance (Yam); 5. Dakota Jones (Yam).
Top Dog Race:
1. Michael Haffner (Hon); 2. Brendan Harp (KTM); 3. Mac Edmonston (Hon); 4. Nick Phillips (Yam); 5. Chris St. Pierre (Kaw).